Control Systems Engineer – Turbine Automation and Protection

The Senior Control Systems Engineer is the technical lead for automation and protection systems governing the operation of gas and steam turbines in marine propulsion, offshore energy modules, or industrial power systems. This role is responsible for the full lifecycle of control system development, from requirements definition and architecture design to commissioning, compliance, and post-installation support.

Key Responsibilities:

• • Lead the architecture, programming, and implementation of turbine automation systems including PLC, DCS, SCADA/HMI, and vibration/overspeed protection.

  • Develop advanced control logic for turbine startup, shutdown, load management, trip sequencing, and fuel/steam control.

  • Oversee integration of key subsystems including governor control, lube and seal oil, emergency shutdown (ESD), and condition monitoring platforms.

  • Guide and review the configuration of protection systems for vibration, overspeed, thermal limits, and safety interlocks (e.g., Bently Nevada, Woodward, TMR systems).

  • Direct and support FAT/SAT procedures, control system validation, and commissioning activities at shipyards, OEM facilities, and offshore/onshore sites.

  • Ensure compliance with relevant marine and industrial codes such as ABS, DNV, IEC 61508/61511, API 612/670, ISO 13849, and MIL-STD (for defense projects).

  • Serve as primary interface for customer technical discussions, OEM design reviews, and audits by class societies or defense authorities.

  • Generate and approve documentation including functional design specs, I/O assignments, cause-and-effect charts, and software version control records.

  • Mentor junior and mid-level control engineers, and contribute to technical training and standardization efforts across projects.

  • Lead investigations into control system faults, turbine trips, or degraded performance using structured troubleshooting and root cause analysis (RCA) methodologie

Key Focus Areas:

• • Advanced Turbine Control Logic (Start/Stop, Load Share, ESD)

  • Redundant/TMR Control Systems and Overspeed/Vibration Protection

  • Integration of Automation with Marine Systems and Classification Compliance

  • Control System Commissioning (FAT, SAT) and Performance Tuning

  • Cross-Platform Expertise: PLC, DCS, HMI, SCADA, and Industrial Networking

Qualifications:

• • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls/Instrumentation, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering.

  • 8–12+ years of experience in automation of turbine-driven systems (marine, offshore, defense, or industrial applications).

  • Expert-level programming experience in one or more control platforms: GE Mark VIe, Woodward MicroNet/505, Siemens T3000, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, ABB, Yokogawa, etc.

  • Deep knowledge of industrial and marine control protocols (Modbus, Profibus, OPC-UA, Ethernet/IP, CANbus).

  • Familiarity with safety instrumented system design (SIL ratings), functional safety standards, and IEC 61508/ISA S84.

Preferred Skills:

• • Experience with hybrid marine-electric propulsion or dual-fuel turbine control systems.

  • Exposure to control system cybersecurity frameworks (IEC 62443, NIST 800-82).

  • Strong field commissioning experience in marine or offshore turbine module environments.

  • Leadership in multi-disciplinary engineering teams across automation, mechanical, and electrical domains.

  • Project lifecycle ownership including change management, testing protocols, and post-installation support.

Work Environment:

• • Primarily office-based for design and documentation, with frequent travel to testing centers, shipyards, OEM facilities, or offshore platforms.

  • Hands-on work in turbine enclosures, control rooms, and test bays requiring PPE and adherence to high-risk worksite protocols.

  • May involve extended periods of travel during system commissioning or project milestones.